Month: January 2019

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Cold Steel knows how to overbuild a knife. They are known for making products that sometimes appear over the top but they don’t skimp on the construction, resulting in some of the most durable and high-performing production knives you can get your hands on.

One such product that we are particularly fond of is the Ultimate Hunter folding knife. While this knife isn’t as dramatic-looking as some we’ve seen from Cold Steel, it is a smartly-designed folder that is perfect for any outdoorsman, camper, or hiker. It even makes a robust bushcraft folder or EDC option with the durability of a tank.

The SLiM is the smaller version of the Golem and the perfect size for everyday carry. These production variants from We Knives are stout utility options that strike the perfect balance between brawn and beauty.

The Bareknuckle, like the Kershaw Natrix, was inspired by the original Zero Tolerance 0777. The Natrix, a well-rounded EDC knife that can tackle just about any everyday task, has been a best-seller here at the KnifeCenter since its introduction. If you liked the Natrix but wished it could be made in America, then the Bareknuckle should be right up your alley. The Bareknuckle takes its cues from that award-winning design and provides a slim profile, excellent materials, and American-made quality.

For starters, the blade uses Sandvik 14C28N steel, a fine-grained stainless alloy that was originally developed for Kershaw, giving the knife excellent performance. Thanks to the modified Wharncliffe blade with its sweeping profile, it is versatile enough to handle almost any cutting task.

The handles on the Bareknuckle can fit a wide range of hand sizes and are made from gray anodized aluminum that gives the knife a very industrial look. It also features Kershaw’s patented Sub-Frame Lock, which gives the security of a frame lock but has the added benefit of cutting down on weight.

This pairs well with the deep-carry pocket clip, making it feel like the knife is barely even there.

Our favorite feature on the knife is the use of the KVT Ball Bearing System. Just a press on the flipper tab and the blade swiftly glides into place, making it ready to rock n’ roll at a moment’s notice. The non-assisted feeling of this buttery smooth flipping action is worth the price of admission.

We love how Kershaw has packed in so many of their innovative features into an American-made package, and this is a great candidate to make part of your EDC rotation. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Today, we’re going to be taking a look at kitchen knives and helping you to build your perfect kitchen knife collection. Let’s do this!

First off, you’ll want to decide whether you want to build your kitchen collection one at a time, or as a block set. Block sets can get you a lower price per blade, but the advantage of doing things piecemeal is that you can get the exact assortment of knives that suits your hands and your cooking style. There are a ton of different blade types and options to choose from, but to keep things simple, we’re going to focus on some of the more common types you’ll want to look at.

We’ll be picking and choosing knives from a variety of different brands and series to show you what it would be like to customize your own knife set. If you like the style of any of these knives and would prefer all your kitchen knives to match, all of these knives are available in block sets at the Knife Center, as well.

The first knife you’ll want to consider will be the centerpiece of your culinary blade kit, the workhorse that is going to get the bulk of your work done. A popular option is the German-style Chef knife. From cutting meat to slicing veggies, there isn’t much you can’t do with a good chef knife at your side.

A popular alternative to the traditional Chef knife is the Eastern-inspired Santoku. Typically a little shorter than the German Chef knives, the sheepsfoot blade is designed for versatility. Generally speaking, while both styles are almost interchangeable, German-style Chef knives tend to be better optimized at rocking motions and slicing meat. The Santoku will usually be nicer when it comes push cuts and chopping vegetables.

No matter which you choose, you’ll probably want something with a blade in the 7-8 inch range. This is large enough to tackle most jobs you’ll need in a home kitchen but is still agile and easy to use. Wusthof and Henckels are by far the recognized leaders of the German style, while Shun and Miyabi carry the torch for the Asian style.

This Wusthof Classic Ikon 8” Chef Knife is one of our favorite German Chef knives, which takes the classic forged triple-rivet look and turns up the style. It has a natural feeling handle and is made with nice, tough stainless steel. The edge might not be the longest lasting out there, but it is durable and easy to maintain. Some Chef knives come with a full bolster here at the heel of the knife, but the Ikon does not. The edge comes all the way which is going to ensure it can make full contact with your cutting board, especially after it has been resharpened a few times.

Spyderco’s Salt Series of knives was made with one thing in mind: to make corrosion an afterthought. Through the use of exotic steels and handles with plenty of traction, these knives were made to be ideal companions in corrosive and aquatic environments, hence the name Salt. On top of that, the Native 5 is a fantastic American-made EDC that contains all of the best elements we love about Spyderco designs.

Now that Spyderco has welcomed the Native 5 into the Salt family it comes with some new tweaks, making this high-performance knife even better. The biggest change is the use of high-performing LC200N blade steel, famously used by NASA in ball-bearings as a substitute for 52100 in their aerospace equipment. This steel is a nitrogen-enriched tool steel that offers edge retention that can rival many of today’s modern super steels, a big leap over the H1 steel that Spyderco has traditionally used in their Salt knives. LC200N also sports exceptional toughness and extreme corrosion resistance, making it ideal for use in the Salt Series.

Back in September, we showcased Lynn Thompson’s new collaborative lockback design with Andrew Demko – the Ultimate Hunter. Now, we have a more discreet black G10 variation to go alongside their highly visible orange model. Both come equipped with premium S35VN steel and Cold Steel’s legendarily strong Tri-Ad Lock, making them some of the most durable folding outdoorsmen knives we’ve seen recently.

The 8” Walter Brend Model 2 is like a piece of knife history. It’s the blade shape that Walter has built many of his designs around and one of the most versatile profiles in existence. This is a combat knife, survival knife, and hunting knife all rolled into one exquisite package. We also have a Mini Model 2 that has all the same features in a more compact package.

Designed for front pocket carry and reverse grip use, the Karamback is a discreet tactical tool that will get the job done. When used with your index or middle finger threaded through the hole, it’s nearly impossible to lose your grip on this knife.

Today, we’re going to be taking a look at the ArtisanCutlery Kinetic-Tool. This thing is a unique hybrid between a butterfly knife, an automatic knife, and a multi-tool. Let’s check it out!

The Kinetic-Tool is a combination of three different genres. Looking at it, you’d think it was just a butterfly knife – but when you open it, it’s actually a multi-tool. The blade on the Kinetic-Tool is 440C with a stonewashed finish, and it comes with a bottle opener, a couple of hex wrenches, a screwdriver on the tip, and you can even use the whole thing as a pry tool. It also features a 3” ruler on the spine.

That’s not all – in addition to a butterfly knife and a multi-tool, it’s actually an automatic. This is the first hybrid butterfly knife/automatic that we’ve ever seen, and it took us completely by surprise. We just love it. This is certainly going to make an impression when you pull it out at a party, whether you’re doing tricks, using it to open your beverage, or flipping that switch to pop the blade right open.

We work very hard at Knife Center to provide you with everything you need to buy a knife, and our great customers often come through with additional information that makes choosing your next everyday carry easy. Check out our top ten highest reviewed folding knives, and then share your own reviews in the comments below!

“One of the best big Benchmades of all time. THIS is what a 21st century Buck 110 should be. The awesome wood scales, huge bolsters, and a blade that looks like a really wide 110 blade. Build quality is perfect. The action out of the box is perfect, it’s only the second knife I have ever bought that I have been able to say that about. The big 4-inch blade effortlessly swings out into lock up. This thing is SHARP! No need to pay to have someone bring the edge up to snuff, it’s already there. Even on both sides. AXIS locks up with no blade play, which surprised me since the blade is so big. This is the best Benchmade I have seen in a couple years. It’s an instant classic.” – Celticcross74